Chelsea in Bloom 2026 - An Intergalactic Wonderland
- Su Whale
- May 21
- 2 min read
Updated: May 26
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s Chelsea in Bloom, whose retailers embraced this year’s theme ‘Out of this World’ with the usual creativity, imagination and enthusiasm we have come to expect from London’s biggest free flower festival.
Shops, restaurants, pubs and hotels were transformed with spaceships, moons, planets, suns and stars; there was even a life size Tardis. While, for the more spiritually minded, astrology, tarot cards and mythical characters such as mermaids, unicorns and a very impressive Medusa, popped up elsewhere.
In key locations, and much to the delight of the public, there were six large-scale installations commissioned by the Cadogan Estate, including a spectacular Zodiac-inspired constellation at Sloane Square; a UFO hovering over Pavilion Road, compete with little green men; a recreation of the moon landing and a four meter long, fire breathing dragon. On the King’s Road, event florist Ricky Paul once more pulled off an incredible feat of design and mechanics, when he and his team created from scratch an enormous floral globe surrounded by wild animals and topped with flowers and butterflies, in honour of David Attenborough’s 100th birthday.
There were 148 participants in total, covering approximately two miles making it the biggest Chelsea in Bloom to date. And there were medals to be won as well, as each one is judged by the RHS before one is crowned the ‘People’s Champion’ decided by public vote.
So many to choose from! But here is our Floristry Trade Club, Chelsea in Bloom, top ten in no particular order:
Mythical Dragon - Sloane Street
Space Vegetables - Whole Foods Market
Mermaid - Les Nereides
Poseidon - Chelsea Heritage Quarter
Tardis - Chelsea Grocer
Rocket - David Mellor
Little shop of horrors - Moyses Stevens
Tarot Cards - Trinny London
Out of this World Floral Globe - Kings Road
Floating UFO and Aliens - Pavilion Road.
Special mention must go to The Chelsea Heritage Quarter and the tutors and students at Capel Manor College who were awarded a Highly Commended for their artistic and inspired interpretation of Poseidon riding his chariot across a stormy sea.
And finally, to all the florists who worked their socks off to bring such magic and joy, we salute you!
Su Whale is a florist and freelance writer with over Thirty years' experience in the floristry industry. She is the author and publisher of three best-selling books: Cut Flowers, 4th edition (2020) Cut Foliage, 2nd Edition, (2021) and Houseplants (2019), all bookshelf essentials for the professional florist.
Comments